OT: why do socks have seams?

More expensive than running a seam, yes. Most people aren't as delicate as you.

Cindy Hamilton

Well I'm sure 3D weaving is indeed possible, but its often easier to use stretchy material and use seams for more efficient use of readily available stock. Personally when they start to get thin or deformed its time for a new pair.

I guess you could make them of plastic in some way, but then it would be a little uncomfortable if your foot sweated, bit like a dry suit for your feet. Notice I avoided rubber here, or pvc cos I know what you lot are like. Brian

But often do have, but they are neater and narrower. also who invented the self rotating sock where after a few hours the heal ends up on top of your foot? Brian

The latter would be a nightmare to figure out without sight.

Actually its not seams going under the toes that is the issue for me its when they position themselves over your one knobbly toe knuckle, and rub it raw before you realise it. Same goes for the one up the back of the heal. Brian

Socks have seams so you'll know where your toes are.

I saw a program recently where socks are woven as blind tubes and shaped by a steam process.

Those are great. Socks used to need manual rotation, but I think it was Ron Popiel who invented the self-rotating ones.

Rich people hire servants to do search the web manually.

Why does there even need to be one? Start the sock at the toe and have the first row of each side intermingled in the same way as rows 1 and 2.

Then we don't have an answer to my original question, why aren't all socks seamless?

Why would I want to look like a chimpanzee?

What is a blind tube?

Nothing is made properly anymore.

Can I have a naked one?

Why make it as a cylinder? Presumably as a cylinder you're knitting/weaving the first row, then the second row attaches to that. Why not use the same attaching method to make both halves of the 1st row join up?

Do you find it annoying when you get a little stone inside your shoe? Because that's what it's like.

And I'm not delicate, I like walking barefoot, but I detest feeling something in the same position, it's as annoying as an itch.

No, I expect google to just work. Remember back int he days of webcrawler? Those were useless.

What about German students? It's common practice over there.

Not exactly a complicated thing.

They break when you drop them, I can't believe we haven't yet invented a good alternative to glass and crockery.

Most are not even waterproof, and will smash if you drop them on concrete.

Never driven a Renault?

Why work harder just to buy things with a higher price tag?

Those have seams.